The specialty coffee chain plans to open 17 new sites in London by 2026, with revenues forecast to exceed £25m
https://www.mca-insight.com/coffee-shops/redemption-roasters-closes-investment-round/690614.article
The Neapolitan pizza concept said it had struggled to keep some of its venues viable amid the cost of living crisis, albeit three locations remain open and trading
https://www.mca-insight.com/restaurants/three-joes-confirms-site-closures/690613.article
JAB partner Konrad Meyer has been appointed chairman, succeeding Olivier Goudet, while Pret co-founder Sinclair Beecham rejoins the business
https://www.mca-insight.com/people/pret-announces-board-changes/690612.article
The fast casual Mexican group reported a 14% increase in revenue at 3.6% increase in like-for-like sales in 2023, with consumer demand expected to further recover later this year
https://www.mca-insight.com/finance/tortilla-looks-ahead-to-improved-consumer-outlook/690611.article
The immersive football and dining experience has long-term plans to open venues in every major city across the UK, president Alex Harman tells MCA
Market growth in 2024 will be supported by inflation, continued expansion, and innovation that targets increased transaction value and additional missions, according to Lumina Intelligence
The African-inspired restaurant group looks towards openings in Ilford, Kingston, Holloway and Hounslow this year, with further sites lined up in Tooting and Reading
https://www.mca-insight.com/restaurants/afrikana-lines-up-six-new-openings/690564.article
The coffeehouse chain reported sales growth of 10.5% year-on-year in the UK, with double-digit growth in delivery sales and even stronger growth in the Coffee at Home business
https://www.mca-insight.com/coffee-shops/strong-third-quarter-for-caffe-nero/690543.article
The code of practice, which will be implemented three months later than originally planned in October 2024, will put an estimated £2m back into workers’ pockets, with the “fair and transpare...
https://www.mca-insight.com/legislation/tipping-law-will-benefit-millions-of-workers/690551.article
Detroit Pizza, Eggslut and Four Seasons have exclusively joined the delivery platform, as it adds a slew of London eateries including Coqfighter, Taro and Yori
https://www.mca-insight.com/delivery/uber-eats-signs-new-exclusive-partnerships/690560.article
CEO James Watt said the company has replaced 30% of the saplings which failed in its restoration project, as he staunchly defended BrewDog’s record on sustainability
The pubco and craft brewer has partnered with Pixel Artworks to bring an augmented reality experience to Brighton’s Spiegeltent
Staff at 16 train companies will walk out between 7 and 9 May, with an overtime ban in place between 6 and 11 May
https://www.mca-insight.com/news/train-strikes-announced-during-may-bank-holiday/690554.article
The coffee roaster, bar and restaurant group will now stock its packaged wholebean and ground coffee, pods and ready-to-drink (RTD) cans at the supermarket giant
https://www.mca-insight.com/coffee-shops/grind-partners-with-tesco/690562.article
Previously of Wagamama, Be At One and Leon, Gregory was at Piper-backed Turtle Bay for five years
https://www.mca-insight.com/people/adam-gregory-departs-turtle-bay/690520.article
The new bakery in West Bradbury Yard, Brentford, is housed in a listed warehouse building, and has taken inspiration from its industrial heritage
What do McDonald’s new menu tweaks, Honest Burgers’ forthcoming QSR concept, and the social media hype of Supernova have in common? Tom Gatehouse of Egg Soliders explores the phenomenon of th...
https://www.mca-insight.com/innovation/smash-hit-burgers/690515.article
The Mission Mars-owned pizza restaurant group will open its first west London restaurant in Queensway on 27 April, joining its London restaurants in Soho, Shoreditch, Fitzrovia and Spitalfields
https://www.mca-insight.com/restaurants/rudys-to-have-10-london-restaurants-this-year/690516.article
The pub operator and brewer plans to invest proceeds from pub disposals into new acquisitions in France during the first quarter of 2024
https://www.mca-insight.com/finance/wells-and-co-grows-sales-in-tough-cost-climate/690517.article
CEO David McDowall describes a shift in consumer behaviour as customers opt for lunchtime and afternoon pub visits over nights out
https://www.mca-insight.com/interviews/stonegate-people-are-socialising-differently/690521.article
With 10 million annual visitors expected at London’s Olympia development, Incipio Group will draw inspiration from existing brands while creating entirely new concepts to cater to a wide range ...
https://www.mca-insight.com/interviews/incipio-group-continual-evolution-is-essential/690468.article
The independent brewery has agreed terms on a new London pub to open this summer, as its latest crowdfund draws to a close
The EU Commission has proposed negotiations to facilitate new youth mobility agreements, allowing young people from the EU and UK to study, work and live in each other’s countries
Plumpton, formerly of Rosa’s Thai and Tapas Revolution, will succeed Ashley Davis, who stepped up as interim MD after Glenn Edwards’ departure last year
https://www.mca-insight.com/people/mac-plumpton-joins-leon-as-md/690459.article
MCA rounds up the week’s biggest openings stories, including Leon, Sticks ‘n’ Sushi, Fuller’s and Shake Shack
https://www.mca-insight.com/news/openings-of-the-week/690438.article
Order growth in the UK and Ireland remained flat year-on-year, albeit the delivery company reported ongoing signs of stabilisation in consumer behaviour
The coffeehouse concept reported that trading in Q1 2024 was up 120% compared to 2022, as it encourages investors to support its ambitions for global expansion
https://www.mca-insight.com/coffee-shops/watchhouse-launches-crowdfunding-campaign/690431.article
The all-day concept has opened a new site every 10 days so far this year, bringing its estate to 257 as it looks to reach the 600-site mark
Trading was boosted by Mother’s Day, St Patrick’s Day and an early Easter Bank Holiday, according to the latest CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker
https://www.mca-insight.com/analysis-and-insight/sector-like-for-likes-up-52-in-march/690426.article
As Revolution Bars Group and Rekom UK struggle with a decline in night-time revelling among young people, MCA’s new writer Simon Brooke takes a look at whether the tried and tested evening bar ...
https://www.mca-insight.com/analysis-and-insight/is-late-night-dead/690424.article
Founder Philip Turner speaks to MCA about achieving 14% like-for-like sales growth, investing in the accommodation business, and “constantly giving people reasons to come back”
MD Marcello Distefano tells MCA the business is focused on expanding its Signor Sassi and Cicchetti brands abroad, and is “chomping at the bit” to bring fresh concepts to the market
https://www.mca-insight.com/interviews/san-carlo-well-positioned-for-future-growth/690416.article
The Pan-Asian restaurant chain said it had clear visibility of a profitable openings programme with a healthy pipeline in place, including ten further sites lined up for FY25
https://www.mca-insight.com/finance/wagamama-aims-for-200-restaurants/690378.article
Verity Bowditch has announced she will step away from the formerly vegan restaurant, as the move does not align with her values on animal welfare
Jeffrey Lawrence, formerly EVP and CFO at Domino’s, joins the brand’s board of directors as it accelerates its growth and expansion in international markets
https://www.mca-insight.com/people/joe-and-the-juice-strengthens-board/690351.article
Data from the Office for National Statistic shows inflation continues to soften across the wider economy, as the Consumer Prices Index rose by 3.2% in March, down from 3.4% in February
https://www.mca-insight.com/news/hospitality-inflation-eases-slightly/690375.article
A flurry of seasonal menu refreshes see Subway lean on a growing trend for smokehouse concepts, Loungers inspired by Brixton’s finest Caribbean restaurants, while Pret introduces Thai-style sal...
https://www.mca-insight.com/innovation/npd-taps-into-global-flavour-trends/690366.article
Speaking after an agreement was announced for Hostmore to acquire the US-based TGI Fridays in a reverse takeover, chairman Stephen Welker tells MCA how the business has not received due credit in...
The delivery company accelerated gross transaction value (GTV) growth in Q1 2024, according to an update to the London Stock Exchange
https://www.mca-insight.com/delivery/just-eat-grows-uk-sales-by-11/690376.article
If implemented, the strategy aims to return the company to profitability by improving EBITDA, reducing debt, and enabling a recommencement of the refurbishment program
https://www.mca-insight.com/finance/revolution-bars-sets-out-restructuring-plan/690353.article
The restaurateur has revealed details about two distinct concepts - a cocktail bar and Korean-Japanese restaurant - launching in the London Royal Exchange this summer
https://www.mca-insight.com/restaurants/des-gunewardena-to-launch-engel-and-jang/690328.article
The proposed reverse takeover would bring together the casual dining brand’s largest franchisee with its global franchisor for an enterprise value of £177m, with the combined group to be renam...
https://www.mca-insight.com/finance/hostmore-to-acquire-franchisor-tgi-fridays-us/690327.article
High inflation has eroded coffee’s affordable luxury status, despite the UK branded coffee shop market achieving sales growth well above pre-pandemic levels, according to the World Coffee Port...
MD Marta Pogroszewska speaks about the premium bakery concept’s approach to scaling nationwide and its appetite for testing new models, as it prepares to open its 131st shop this week
https://www.mca-insight.com/interviews/gails-weve-kept-the-brand-at-its-purest/690320.article
The retail spin-off from JKS Restaurants and former Mars executive Gulrez Arora is being backed by venture capital firm CAVU Consumer Partners
https://www.mca-insight.com/finance/gymkhana-fine-foods-raises-24m-in-seed-funding/690318.article
All-day dining venue Pierre’s focuses on a value for money offering of coffees, cocktails and small plates, and will make its debut in Newport, South Wales next month
https://www.mca-insight.com/restaurants/bistrot-pierre-launches-new-concept/690317.article
International R&D director Adam Wilcock tells MCA how the brand intends to stand out in a cluttered pizza market and focus on innovation that stays true to cultural nuances in the UK
CEO James Watt put the performance down to a challenged start to the year for hospitality, adding that BrewDog remained 10% ahead of the wider industry
https://www.mca-insight.com/pubs-bars-and-clubs/brewdog-bars-25-down-in-2024/690241.article
Chairman Mark Crowther tells MCA the group has already begun harmonising its supply chain and sharing best practice, and is “delighted” to add seven high-volume venues in prime locations unde...
The Japanese brewing company, which owns Fuller’s beer, is expanding its line-up of low & no beverages through investments in start-ups, to cater to a growing number of health-conscious consume...
Franco Manca and The Real Greek brands both reported strong revenue and estate growth in 2023
https://www.mca-insight.com/finance/fulham-shore-turnover-nears-100m/690273.article
The stores serve unsold products at a discounted price, and aim to tackle food waste while helping those living in disadvantaged areas to buy food
https://www.mca-insight.com/food-to-go/greggs-plans-50-outlet-stores-by-2025/690277.article
Cubscribers to Club Pret, which allows customers to order up to five hot drinks a day for a monthly fee of £30, have experienced technical issues and were unable to claim their drinks
https://www.mca-insight.com/technology/pret-refunds-subscribers-unable-to-use-app/690278.article
The Esquires operator plans to open more than 10 outlets in Q2 2024
https://www.mca-insight.com/finance/cooks-coffee-sales-up-17-to-279m/690275.article
Consumer experts have said that the food to go chain could be breaking the law following technical issues with its app
The National Farmers’ Union is seeking extra support for growers after England suffered its wettest 18 months since 1836
With 439 restaurants on major routes across the UK, Little Chef once enjoyed a near monopoly on roadside dining. The BBC explores why the restaurant chain disappeared
Rules due to come in this month will impose new handling fees – and experts say small suppliers are already being driven away
At least six people locked themselves in the Grade II-listed York and Albany next to Regent’s Park
Peter Gibson, formerly of Chicken Shop, Flat Iron, and Nando’s, joins the fried chicken chain as it looks to double its estate this year
The Alan Yau-founded Thai restaurant group reported a 2% decline in like-for-like sales, but continues to look at opportunities “closer to London”
Founder Mark McCulloch said the recruitment initiative would need a 5-10 year continuous national advertising campaign costing c£1m+ per year
https://www.mca-insight.com/news/hospitality-rising-pauses-campaign/690223.article
The business will shut 13 Wildwood restaurants and one Dim T as part of its restructuring plan, which will see it exit 20 loss-making sites in total
https://www.mca-insight.com/restaurants/tasty-reveals-14-site-closures/690222.article
The chain will continue to be exclusively available to Deliveroo customers in 15 cities, with 30% of its revenue coming from delivery
The Imbiba-backed group has planned launches in Bristol, Nottingham and London for later this year, marking its debut in the capital with a 30,000 sq ft space in Waterloo
Operators are embracing multifunctional spaces that offer more than just dining, whilst a number of new openings offer authentic culinary experiences, according to Lumina Intelligence
The group reported a strong trading performance, with growth in both transaction volumes and spend, as it prepares to open a new site in Manchester
https://www.mca-insight.com/finance/caravan-focuses-expansion-outside-of-london/690208.article
MCA rounds up the week’s biggest openings stories, including McMullen’s, Six by Nico, Heartwood Collection and Comptoir Libanais
https://www.mca-insight.com/news/openings-of-the-week/690205.article
The pub and bar group has reiterated that its Revolucion de Cuba, Founders & Co, and Peach Pubs concepts continue to trade well, with group like-for-like sales demonstrating an improving trend as...
https://www.mca-insight.com/finance/revolution-brands-remain-well-positioned/690182.article
The Dog & Gun in Syston, the White Bear in Hinckley and the Horse & Trumpet in Sileby will join Punch’s Leased and Tenanted estate, which is made up of more than 900 pubs
The group is looking to raise £12.5m, including £3m from Luke Johnson, which will be used to restructure the Revolution-branded estate; while simultaneously launching a formal sales process
The eating out market has been bolstered by a drop in inflation and national insurance, as well as rising consumer confidence
The doughnut brand has appointed M&A specialists from Interpath Advisory to advise the business through the investment process
https://www.mca-insight.com/food-to-go/crosstown-seeks-new-investment/690172.article
The new directory is designed to point hospitality and brewing operators to suppliers offering sustainable products and services
https://www.mca-insight.com/suppliers/zero-carbon-forum-launches-marketplace/690139.article
Thousands who once came to the city to work will now fall victim to a new regulation which raised the minimum salary threshold for a skilled work visa from £26,000 to £38,700
The food-to-go retailer has achieved 97.1% of electricity usage across all operations came from renewable sources and maintained over 30% of range as ‘Healthier Choice’ products
The Labour Party has announced its plan for high streets, including replacing business rates with a new system of business property taxation “which rebalances the burden and levels the playing ...
The Wildwood and Dim T restaurant operator has announced a £750,000 loan agreement with Bet365 shareholder Will Roseff to fund a planned restructure
https://www.mca-insight.com/finance/tasty-to-exit-20-loss-making-sites/690128.article
The quick-service crêpe brand has appointed property adviser, Christie & Co to support its UK expansion plans
https://www.mca-insight.com/food-to-go/crepeaffaire-seeks-new-franchise-partners/690129.article
The London bar operator will continue to operate under the same name, with founder Marriott to step down from day-to-day operations, and the enlarged group led by Richard Stringer, managing direc...